Basic Details
Surname
Bennett
Forenames
S G
Gender
Male
Information stated on memorial
Alternative forename
Sydney Garner
Served or died
Died
Notes
The College Website (see sources) states: 'Sydney Garner Bennett was born in 1888 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, the only son of Henry and Mary Bennett. His father served as a Primitive Methodist Minister at various churches in Suffolk and Norfolk and he was stationed at Cambridge for four years. During this time, Sydney was educated at the East Anglian School, Bury St. Edmunds, and the Higher Grade School, Cambridge. Whilst teaching at Springfield School, Ipswich, he gained a scholarship, and passed on to Downing College in 1907. According to his obituary in The Griffin, he played cricket for the College and also for Suffolk, and was also a member of the Association Football team. On leaving Downing, he secured a teaching position in Egypt.
After war broke out he returned home to volunteer for military service and received his commission mid-1915. He was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Fusiliers and later served with the 3rd Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment. He served several months in the trenches and was killed instantaneously in action by a shell on 20 July 1916.
Lieut. Bennett is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A).
Sources: The Griffin, College Magazine, Michaelmas 1916., Commonwealth War Graves Commission'
Primary Service
As stated on memorial
Service (Primary - Stated)
Not Stated on the Memorial
Unit (Primary - Stated)
Not Stated on the Memorial
Rank / Title (Primary - Stated)
Not Stated on the Memorial
Our References
Service (Primary - Our reference)
Unit (Primary - Our reference)
Rank / Title (Primary - Our reference)
Death and Burial details
Country of death
France
Town of death
Somme
Year of death
1916
Month of death
July
Day of death
20
Manner of death as stated
Not Stated on the Memorial
Manner of death reference
Killed in Action